Stufe (algebra)
In field theory, a branch of mathematics, the Stufe (/ʃtuːfə/; German: level) s(F) of a field F is the least number of squares that sum to −1. If −1 cannot be written as a sum of squares, s(F) = . In this case, F is a formally real field. Albrecht Pfister proved that the Stufe, if finite, is always a power of 2, and that conversely every power of 2 occurs.[1]
Powers of 2
[edit]If then for some natural number .[1][2]
Proof: Let be chosen such that . Let . Then there are elements such that
Both and are sums of squares, and , since otherwise , contrary to the assumption on .
According to the theory of Pfister forms, the product is itself a sum of squares, that is, for some . But since , we also have , and hence
and thus .
Positive characteristic
[edit]Any field with positive characteristic has .[3]
Proof: Let . It suffices to prove the claim for .
If then , so .
If consider the set of squares. is a subgroup of index in the cyclic group with elements. Thus contains exactly elements, and so does . Since only has elements in total, and cannot be disjoint, that is, there are with and thus .
Properties
[edit]The Stufe s(F) is related to the Pythagoras number p(F) by p(F) ≤ s(F) + 1.[4] If F is not formally real then s(F) ≤ p(F) ≤ s(F) + 1.[5][6] The additive order of the form (1), and hence the exponent of the Witt group of F is equal to 2s(F).[7][8]
Examples
[edit]- The Stufe of a quadratically closed field is 1.[8]
- The Stufe of an algebraic number field is ∞, 1, 2 or 4 (Siegel's theorem).[9] Examples are Q, Q(√−1), Q(√−2) and Q(√−7).[7]
- The Stufe of a finite field GF(q) is 1 if q ≡ 1 mod 4 and 2 if q ≡ 3 mod 4.[3][8][10]
- The Stufe of a local field of odd residue characteristic is equal to that of its residue field. The Stufe of the 2-adic field Q2 is 4.[9]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Jump up to: a b Rajwade (1993) p.13
- ^ Lam (2005) p.379
- ^ Jump up to: a b Rajwade (1993) p.33
- ^ Rajwade (1993) p.44
- ^ Rajwade (1993) p.228
- ^ Lam (2005) p.395
- ^ Jump up to: a b Milnor & Husemoller (1973) p.75
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Lam (2005) p.380
- ^ Jump up to: a b Lam (2005) p.381
- ^ Singh, Sahib (1974). "Stufe of a finite field". Fibonacci Quarterly. 12: 81–82. ISSN 0015-0517. Zbl 0278.12008.
References
[edit]- Lam, Tsit-Yuen (2005). Introduction to Quadratic Forms over Fields. Graduate Studies in Mathematics. Vol. 67. American Mathematical Society. ISBN 0-8218-1095-2. Zbl 1068.11023.
- Milnor, J.; Husemoller, D. (1973). Symmetric Bilinear Forms. Ergebnisse der Mathematik und ihrer Grenzgebiete. Vol. 73. Springer-Verlag. ISBN 3-540-06009-X. Zbl 0292.10016.
- Rajwade, A. R. (1993). Squares. London Mathematical Society Lecture Note Series. Vol. 171. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-42668-5. Zbl 0785.11022.
Further reading
[edit]- Knebusch, Manfred; Scharlau, Winfried (1980). Algebraic theory of quadratic forms. Generic methods and Pfister forms. DMV Seminar. Vol. 1. Notes taken by Heisook Lee. Boston - Basel - Stuttgart: Birkhäuser Verlag. ISBN 3-7643-1206-8. Zbl 0439.10011.